NYC set to roll out LED street lights, as part of The Climate Group's LightSavers program

LightSavers partner and New York City Department of Transportation (DOT) Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan announced the sweeping installation of LED fixtures in Central Park, the East River Bridges, Eastern Parkway and the underdeck of Manhattan's FDR Drive.

Other cities involved in LightSavers including Sydney in Australia, and Haldia in West Bengal, India, announced their rollouts earlier this year.

DOT will start immediately with the US$1.4 million replacement of all 1600 metal-halide fixtures in Manhattan's iconic Central Park, which is expected to deliver energy savings of up to 62%. The agency will replace hundreds of mercury-vapor necklace lights on all of the East River Bridges and will also install LED fixtures on key highways.

The City of New York’s LED program is expected to achieve nearly US$300,000 in annual energy and maintenance savings in fiscal year 2013, with greater saving in the following years.

"Energy-efficient LEDs light up our parks, bridges and streets and also bring years of cost savings to our city," said Commissioner Sadik-Khan.

“Importantly, these upgrades retain, and in some instances, improve illumination levels of these areas, and continue to enhance public safety.”

DOT, together with The Climate Group and the US Department of Energy, initiated a multiyear study of such outdoor LED lights in 2009 as part of the global LightSavers program to quantify the benefits for cities to use LED lighting versus existing lighting sources. Observations of LED fixtures in the trials coordinated by The Climate Group on FDR Drive and in Central Park showed significant energy savings, up to 50% and 83%, respectively.

The Climate Group’s Head of Member Engagement North America, Dasha Rettew, who worked with the City on the trial, said she was thrilled it had led to the widespread roll-out. “LightSavers was all about showing the benefits LED streetlights deliver. It succeeded and as a result we are seeing action that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and save New Yorkers money. We congratulate the City of New York for its leadership.”

DOT also will completely replace 1200 fixtures along underpasses on the FDR Drive and at other Manhattan locations by the end of the year. Through routine maintenance and capital construction contracts, DOT aims to replace all 5500 underdeck lights citywide over the next few years.